Just about everybody in Scholes and the neighbouring villages are familiar with Satnam and his wife Manjit. They first opened a convenience store in Scholes in 1977, it’s had a few name changes along the way but ultimately it always has been and always will be known as Satnams. Satnams is currently undergoing a rebranding after linking up with buying chain ‘Best-One.’“I’m always on the lookout to find the best prices as I can to pass onto the customers and quite simply Best-One offered me the best deal.” On the 5th April, Satnams will stage the official opening at 12.00pm which will be attended by the Lord Mayor Ann Castle. “We’ve goodie-bags, a bouncy castle, a raffle, competitions, egg painting, East West our curry suppliers will be here with samples and we’re giving away a free packet of Warburtons crumpets for the first fifty customers after the opening. We’ll also have some selective special opening day prices.” Proceeds for the raffle (first prize – a BMX Mountain bike) go to the Scholes Village School for whom Satnam has also written a cheque out for £500. “This village has given me a lot and there’s no prouder man than me to be at the heart of it. We employ seven local people and despite being part of a buying group we can still source products locally.”

And to prove his point the eggs for the egg painting will be donated by S&J Darley from Aberford, Satnams regular supplier. Satnams also gone up in the world and now has his own ‘Satnam’s label’ which has jam and biscuits, among other things and he hopes to use more locally sourced products in the near future. “The idea of the rebrand and ‘opening day’ is to show people we can be competitive and I hope local businesses, the local village communities and those from further afield can come together for a few hours on the 5th, we’re hoping it will be a good day, the Best-one!”